If you have two archbishops in the family, even if that was a few hundred years ago, the priestly profession does not seem far-fetched.

And the Frankfurt City Dean is a prominent and critical voice when it comes to analyzing the state of the Catholic Church.

Nevertheless, one should not be tempted to jump to hasty conclusions about Johannes zu Eltz.

He actually comes from a good Catholic family, the Eltzer Hof in Eltville.

It is the last of the noble family who have not lived in their best-known property in a side valley of the Moselle, Eltz Castle, since the 16th century - it is difficult to reach today, as it was then.

Bernhard Biener

Editor in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung

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However, zu Eltz did not initially study theology, but rather law.

His doctorate had already been completed and he was befriending a young woman when he decided to become a priest.

Out of a thirst for adventure and because, as he once said, working in a law firm seemed too predictable to him.

Anyone who knows him as a supporter of reforms, who opposes the "deadly torpor of the church" and against "traditionalism and fear" may also have a one-sided picture.

Because the canon once had a completely different reputation.

Denounced as an arch-Catholic “black”.

"I was the Terminator from Limburg," zu Eltz recalls of the reservations he still had when he came to Frankfurt in 2010.

Before that, he had been the city dean of Wiesbaden for four years, where he was initially denounced as an arch-Catholic “black”.

Which was perhaps also due to the contrast to his predecessor, who wanted to run for the SPD as mayor.

The intention failed because of a formality.

"I stayed the same," says Johannes zu Eltz, who still describes himself as strict.

"But there is also the mildness of old age." Under the influence of metropolitan conditions, he has gained additional opportunities.

It has to do with reducing fears.

"I no longer fear that the existence of the church is at stake with every opening."

After the deep quarrel with Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, the city dean got along well with today's Limburg bishop Georg Bätzing, in his own words.

"He's not afraid of being questioned." Zu Eltz considers it arrogant for the church to denounce contemporaneity.

He himself is in favor of optional celibacy and considers the ordination of women to be helpful in Germany.

Since he has given up ambitions for a further career and higher orders, he can say what he thinks is right without tactical considerations.

"The end of my service is on the horizon." Until then, he says, he could not imagine a position in which he felt better off.

He sounds like a happy person when he says, "I like it that way."

His intuition to go to Frankfurt with the Wiesbaden pastoral care experience and to be able to feel comfortable there did not deceive Eltz.

"Having principles and daring to open up fits well in this city." Frankfurt combines public effectiveness with the opportunity to be private.

He likes to work in this laboratory of modernity.

It starts in St. Bartholomäus, where the cathedral priest has the microcosm of the city in mind: "The early prayers, the working people during their lunch break, the visitors from all over the world."

For a native of the Rheingau, the praise of the big city sounds surprising.

But zu Eltz can “very well imagine” stepping into the second rank in three years, staying in Frankfurt and making himself useful in pastoral care.

Because that is currently not enough for him in addition to the administrative work.